Modelling body positivity
New Glasgow’s Haley Borden hopes to inspire others
NEW GLASGOW — Haley Borden wants to be the kind of person for others that she wished she had in her life as a teenager.
Borden is a plus-sized model who is starting to make a name for herself in Toronto, where she's been living since 2018 after leaving her hometown of New Glasgow.
While she at times struggled to find modelling opportunities in Nova Scotia, she said work has built up rapidly since she moved to the metropolitan Toronto area.
While she does have a day job working as a medical receptionist for a surgeon, her weekends are often busy modelling and taking part in fashion shows.
“There's so much opportunity here for modelling it's kind of been a snowball,” she said.
Borden has modelled for companies such as the Toronto Fashion Academy as well as women's clothing lines like Mascato Pink. She's also enjoyed taking part in the All About Women Show hosted annually in Toronto.
In the fashion and modelling industry one job often leads to another. But getting to this point, wasn't an easy walk for Borden.
THE RIGHT FIT
Borden's father jokes that he knew she was destined for the limelight from the time she was a toddler and grabbing the microphone in a store to command the attention of those around her.
She laughs because she knows he's right.
“I always enjoyed modelling,” she said. “I love my picture being taken.”
But like many people, there was a time she struggled deeply about feeling positive about her body. It was particularly difficult for her during her middle school years.
While being healthy is important, she said genetics play a huge role in a person's size. In her family women have tended to be shorter and bigger, she said.
When she was in Grade 6 through Grade 9 she would try to avoid being bullied by wearing oversized clothes.
“All my friends were tall, skinny girls, so I never fit in with them.”
She's not sure exactly what caused a change in her mind set, but one day she recalls making up her mind to be herself.
“I don't know what it was, I just kind of woke up one morning and said ‘I am who
I am.'"
She was determined from that day on to wear what she wanted in just the size she needed.
While there have been times she's still struggled over the years, particularly when going into a store and finding that the item she wanted didn't fit, she said she's tried to stay positive and not let it limit her.
MODELLING CAREER
Today there are many more plus-sized women breaking the mould of what is considered beautiful in Canada's fashion and modelling industries and Borden said it's good to see. She has particularly found that to be the case in Toronto. But that's not to say there's not lingering stereotypes.
Borden, who is 5'3,” said most models are expected to be taller. But she's not letting that stop her. If there's one thing she's learned over the years it is to keep pushing for what you want.
She remembers her first time taking part in a fashion show at the Halifax Forum in 2012. She wore four-inch heels and remembers her toes being sore and blistered by the end. Everything that could go wrong that day did, from a wardrobe malfunction to swollen feet.
“It was the most horrifying experience,” she said.
That night when she got home, her mother asked her if she planned to give it up.
“I'm going back 10 times harder,” she said.
INSPIRING OTHERS
Now that she's found success, Borden, 29, tries to be an inspiration for others, whether it be speaking at fashion events about body positivity or chatting with people who have questions on social media about where to buy clothes that suit their body type. She's even working on a children's book on the topic of body positivity.
For her, one of the most rewarding parts of being a model is having that stage to speak on and to be a voice for other people like her.
“I want to be that person that I wish I had in my life,” she said.
She believes that when people are confident with their appearance that it translates into other aspects of their life. She's found that to be true for herself at least.
“I feel like it can only make you stronger. I've never had this confidence my whole life.”
To connect with Borden follow her on Instagram at hmb.90.